“If operational analysis leads us to that conclusion, we can consider moving forward at a later date. We should approach this as equals and progress accordingly,” said Adm. Samuel Paparo, chief of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, during a recent interview with South Korean reporters at Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii. He was responding to questions about the growing calls within South Korea for the nation to possess its own nuclear arms, including nuclear-powered submarines.
Although he mentioned conditions such as “operational analysis,” it is unprecedented for a top U.S. military commander to directly address South Korea’s pursuit of nuclear submarines.
The reason South Korea needs nuclear submarines is North Korea. Since North Korea successfully tested a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) in 2015, they have also launched cruise missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads from submarines. Detecting and defending against SLBMs launched from the sea is virtually impossible. The most efficient and reliable method is for South Korean submarines to continuously monitor North Korean submarine bases. This requires the ability to operate underwater for extended periods. Diesel submarines can operate underwater for no more than 10 days, while nuclear submarines can stay submerged for several months. Moreover, in 2021, Kim Jong-un announced the development of nuclear submarines. There is a possibility that North Korea might demand the transfer of nuclear submarine technology in exchange for providing shells to Russia. If North Korea acquires nuclear submarines with Russia’s help, it will become much harder to deter them. This capability to strike the U.S. covertly with nuclear weapons might mean the U.S. nuclear umbrella would not open in times of crisis for South Korea.
Nuclear submarines are powered by reactors and have nothing to do with nuclear bombs. Despite this, the U.S. unconditionally opposes South Korea possessing nuclear submarines. As recently as early last month, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said it would be “very, very difficult” for Washington to accommodate a direct South Korean request for help obtaining nuclear submarines, “on top of what we do right now.”
In 2021, the U.S. established the AUKUS trilateral security pact with the U.K. and Australia and agreed to sell nuclear submarines to Australia. However, South Korea needs nuclear submarines more than Australia. Unlike Australia, South Korea can build its own nuclear submarines with U.S. consent. Recently, the U.S. has been reviewing its existing security strategies. The South Korean government should work to persuade the U.S. to allow them to possess nuclear submarines.
